U.S. patent number 4,899,822 [Application Number 07/240,058] was granted by the patent office on 1990-02-13 for apparatus for controlling the operation of an underwater installation.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Camco Inc.. Invention is credited to Anthony J. Asbury, Jean-Louis Daeschler.
United States Patent |
4,899,822 |
Daeschler , et al. |
February 13, 1990 |
Apparatus for controlling the operation of an underwater
installation
Abstract
Control apparatus for a sub-sea wellhead installation, for
example of a satellite well, is disclosed which includes a
plurality of control devices 80 each for providing a control
function for the installation 10 and a connector 40, 45, 50 for
connecting the devices 80 to the installation 10, each control
device being independently engageable and disengageable with the
connector 40, 45, 50. The connector includes a manifold 40 to which
are connected a plurality of receptacles 50, each control device 80
being engageable with the the receptacle 50. The receptacles and
control devices are preferably provided with complementary
engageable portions 52, 54, 56; 82, 84, 86, which include hydraulic
and electrical connectors 58, 60, 62, 70, 72; 88, 90, 92, 98, 100,
so that control signals may be passed via the connectors 40, 45, 50
to the control devices 80 from a command installation and actuation
signals may be passed from the control devices 80 through the
connector 40, 45, 50 to devices on the installation 10.
Inventors: |
Daeschler; Jean-Louis (Tarland,
GB3), Asbury; Anthony J. (Norwich, GB3) |
Assignee: |
Camco Inc. (Houston,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
10623245 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/240,058 |
Filed: |
September 2, 1988 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/339;
166/65.1; 166/344; 405/169; 439/191; 166/341; 166/365; 439/137;
439/669 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
33/0355 (20130101); E21B 33/0385 (20130101); E21B
33/038 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
33/038 (20060101); E21B 33/035 (20060101); E21B
33/03 (20060101); E21B 043/01 () |
Field of
Search: |
;166/335,338,339,341,344,360,65.1,366,365
;439/668,669,190-195,137,140 ;405/169 ;137/236.1,798,884,594 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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86/00353 |
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Jan 1986 |
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WO |
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86/01852 |
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Mar 1986 |
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WO |
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88/03596 |
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May 1988 |
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WO |
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1472229 |
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May 1977 |
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GB |
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1555719 |
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Nov 1979 |
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GB |
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1576897 |
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Oct 1980 |
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GB |
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2059483 |
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Apr 1981 |
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GB |
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2137677 |
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Oct 1984 |
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GB |
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2152556 |
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Aug 1985 |
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GB |
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2152565 |
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Aug 1985 |
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GB |
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2167469 |
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May 1986 |
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GB |
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2174442 |
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Nov 1986 |
|
GB |
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2194980 |
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Mar 1988 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Dang; Hoang C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb &
Soffen
Claims
We claim:
1. An apparatus for controlling an underwater installation, said
apparatus comprising:
a first control device for providing a first control function for
the underwater installation;
a second control device for providing a second control function for
the underwater installation, said first and second control devices
having means for being releasably connected to a remote underwater
vehicle; and
connection means for connecting said control devices to the
underwater installation;
said connection means comprising a connection panel, a first
connector coupled to said connection panel at a first predetermined
location, and a second connector coupled to said connection panel
at a second predetermined location;
said first control device comprising a first control element and a
first engagement member, said first engagement member being
independently slidably engageable with and disengageable from said
first connector, said first engagement member including means for
transferring hydraulic and electrical signals from said first
control device to the underwater installation when said first
control device is engaged with said first connector;
said second control device comprising a second control element and
a second engagement member, said second engagement member being
independently slidably engageable with and disengageable from said
second connector, said second engagement member including means for
transferring hydraulic and electrical signals from said second
control device to the underwater installation when said second
control device is engaged with said second connector;
said connection panel including means for receiving at least one
indexing device of said remote underwater vehicle, whereby the
remote underwater vehicle can engage with said connection panel and
independently recover and replace said control devices from said
connectors.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said first device
and first connector comprises a receptacle and the other comprises
a projection to be received in the receptacle.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the receptacle comprises
first and second generally cylindrical portions.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signals
transferring means of said first control device comprises at least
one first opening disposed in the first device and at least one
second opening disposed in the first connector, the first and
second openings being in fluid communication when the first device
and first connector are engaged.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of the first and
second openings includes an annular slot in fluid communication
with the other opening when the first device and first connector
are engaged.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said signals
transferring means of said first control device comprises at least
one first electrical contact coupled to the first device and at
least one second electrical contact coupled to the first connector
whereby said first and second contacts are in electrical
communication when the first device and first connector are
engaged.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the at least one first
contact comprises a slip ring.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the slip ring is self
activated.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first connector
includes sleeve means for covering said at least one second opening
of the first connector when the first connector is not engaged with
the first control device.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said sleeve means
comprises a first sleeve arranged to cover said at least one second
electrical contact of the first connector.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sleeve means
comprises a second sleeve arranged to cover said at least one
second opening of the first connector.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the receptacle is
formed as part of the first connector.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first control
device includes locking means for engagement with the first
connector, for locking the first control device and first connector
together.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the locking means
comprises at least one retractable catch engageable with a
corresponding groove.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the groove is of
trapezoidal cross section and the at least one catch is of arcuate
cross section.
Description
This invention relates to apparatus for controlling the operation
of an underwater installation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Satellite and marginal subsea well head installations control the
flow of oil from the well and also provide safety systems, such as
blow out prevention (B.O.P.) units. The control system for such an
installation generally includes a number of valves, which are
actuated by pilot valves which are controlled, via hydraulic or
electrical control lines or by acoustic signals, or combination of
these, from a drilling rig or other surface installation.
For such control systems, the mean time between failure (M.T.B.F.)
rates for mechanical and interface components is relatively low and
in addition maintenance and operating costs are high due to the
complex equipment needed for the retrieval of the control elements
from sea bed locations for repair or service, and the time space of
extensive logistic support.
In order to improve performance and maintain reliability, systems
have been proposed in which the control components are designed
into a retrievable, sealed oil filled pod control unit. High
standards are necessary for the system cleanliness and component
design in order to ensure a reasonable level of reliability and
M.T.B.F., thus making the units extremely costly. Typically, such a
unit is positioned on the subsea installation using special tooling
from floating work barges or service vessels using soft landing
guide wires and latching pins located on the subsea well
installation. The weight of the control unit is typically 1.5
tonnes or more and requires substantial framing and counterweights
on the installation to balance the loads on the well head tree.
It is a disadvantage of such a control system that a total
retrieval of the control unit is necessary in order to perform
maintenance or repairs on a particular item or circuit.
It is an object of the invention to provide control apparatus which
alleviates the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided a
connector for connection to an installation and for engagement with
a control device for controlling a function of the installation,
the device including a control element, the connector being
slidably engagable with a complementary engagement member of the
device and including means for transferring hydraulic and
electrical signals between the installation and the control device
when engaged therewith.
According to the invention in a second aspect, there is provided a
connector for connection to an installation and for engagement with
a control device for controlling a function of the installation,
the device including a control element, the connector being
slidably engageable with a complementary engagement member of the
device and including means for transferring hydraulic and
electrical signals between the installation and the control device
when engaged therewith.
According to the invention in a third aspect, there is provided
underwater installation control apparatus comprising a plurality of
control devices each for providing a control function for the
installation and connection means for connecting the devices to the
installation, each control device being independently engageable
with and disengageable from the connection means and wherein said
connection means includes a plurality of connectors coupled to a
connection panel at respective predetermined locations, each
connector being arranged to engage a respective control device.
Preferably, the connection means includes a plurality of individual
receptacles, each control device being engagable with a said
receptacle. The receptacles and control devices are preferably
provided with complementary engagable portions which include
hydraulic and electrical connection means, so that control signals
may be passed via the connection means to the control devices from
a command installation (for example a drilling rig) and actuation
signals may be passed from the control devices through the
connection means to devices on the installation.
Preferably, the control devices each include a pilot valve for
operation of a respective main valve of a well head
installation.
More preferably, the control devices are arranged to be removable
by a remote vehicle which engages the connection member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of
example, with reference to accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a subsea well head with a
production tree installation including an embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a well head installation
similar to that shown in FIG. 1, also showing a remote vehicle.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a control device and receptacle,
showing a receptacle and control device engaged.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, with
the receptacle and control device disengaged.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a manifold, and a
corresponding template.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, of a second
embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the figures, an embodiment of the invention is
shown. Unlike the prior art control system in which all the control
devices are retained in a single oil filled pod, the embodiment of
the invention shown includes a control panel or manifold in which
individual control devices may be independently engaged and
disengaged.
Referring to FIG. 1, a satellite well head installation, generally
designated 10, is shown.
The well head installation is connected to a well head 12.
Depending on the condition of a plurality of valves, described
below, oil may be allowed to flow from the well head 12 through the
tree 10 and via subsea pipelines 14, 16 to a central drilling rig
(not shown).
The valve arrangement of the well head installation 10 is of
standard form and includes a production ring valve 18, an annulus
wing valve 20 (for controlling flow out of pipelines 14, 16), a
bypass valve 22 connecting the two pipelines 14, 16 and five other
valves, namely a annulus swab valve 24, an annulus master valve 26,
a production swab valve 28, a production upper master valve 30 and
a production lower master valve 32.
The operation of each main valve is controlled by a respective
control element, (eg a pilot valve or hydraulic actuator) which is
housed in a control device 80 connected to the main valve via a
receptacle 50 and a hydraulic connection line. The connection line,
control device and receptacle for the production swab valve 28 are
labelled as 28a, 80a, 50a by way of example, in FIG. 2.
All the receptacles 50 are connected to openings 45 in a panel 40
in a predetermined pattern as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The panel
also includes a further opening (or openings) 220 for receiving an
indexing pin (or a plurality of indexing pins) 210 of a Remote
Operator Vehicle (R.O.V.) 105.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a said receptacle 50, and
corresponding control device 80 including the control element are
shown in engaged and disengaged positions.
The receptacle 50 includes a hollow frusto-conical opening 52, a
first hollow cylindrical portion 54, and a second hollow
cylindrical portion 56 of smaller diameter than the first portion
54.
The first cylindrical portion 54 is provided, by way of example,
with three openings 58, 60, 62 which are connected to hydraulic
control lines 64, 66, 68. In practice, more openings may be
employed. The openings 58-60-62 may be covered, when the control
device 80 is not engaged with the receptacle 50, by a displaceable
sleeve 69. The protective sliding sleeve 69 is formed from oil or
grease filled non-corrosive material e.g. NYLON 66 and may be
biased into the position shown in FIG. 4 by, for example, a spring
(not shown) or other mechanical means.
The second cylindrical portion 56 is provided with first and second
electrical contacts 70, 72. A second sleeve 74 is slidably disposed
in the portion 56 and displaces dielectric oil over the electrical
contacts and is biased into the position shown in FIG. 4 by a
biasing means, for example a spring (not shown). The electrical
contacts 70, 72 may be conductive or inductive.
The control device and receptacle are held together by locking
means which, by way of example, may be a radial pin or series of
pins (see below) engaging into a circumferential locking groove 76
shown adjacent the open end of the cylindrical portion 54.
The control device 80 is arranged to engage with the receptacle 50
and includes a second frustro-conical portion 82, third cylindrical
portion 84 and fourth cylindrical portion 86 of similar form to
corresponding portions 52, 54, 56, so that the control device 80
may be slidably engaged with the receptacle 50. The cylindrical
portion 84 is provided with three circumferential grooves 88, 90,
92 disposed, when the control device 80 is engaged with the
receptacle 50, in alignment with the openings 64-68. The grooves
may, alternatively, be situated around openings 64-68 in receptacle
50. Each circumferential groove 88-92 is connected to an oil
passageway 94, 96, 97, which passageways are connected to a control
valve (not shown) disposed within the device 80. The three
circumferential grooves are hydraulically isolated by elastomer
seal rings 99.
The fourth cylindrical portion 86 includes one or more (in this
case two) electrical contacts 98, 100 which are arranged to be
disposed in electrical contact with the electrical contacts 70, 72
when the device 80 and receptacle 50 are engaged. The contact 98,
100 may be formed as conductive or inductive contacts, depending on
the choice of contacts 70, 72. The contacts 98, 100 are connected
to the control valve operating solenoid.
One or more (in this case two) retractable pins 102, 104 are also
provided adjacent one end of the third cylindrical portion 84.
These are arranged to engage selectively the circumferential groove
76 of the receptacle 50, so that the device 80 and receptacle 50
may be positively locked together.
The device 80 further includes a projection 106, having a recess
108. The projection 106 is shaped so as to be engagable with a
hydraulically operated tool 110 of a Remote Operator Vehicle
(R.O.V.) 105 to allow remote positioning of the control device by
the R.O.V. 105 at a subsea location as shown in FIG. 4. The R.O.V.
tool includes a pair of hollow semi-cylindrical jaws 112, 114 each
provided with semi-circular projections 116, 118 which are arranged
to engage the groove 108 of the device 80.
Preferably, the device 80 includes means to determine when the tool
110 is engaged with the projection 106, to retract the engagement
pins 102, 104 while the tool 110 is engaged but to allow the pins
102, 104 to project from the third cylindrical projection 84 when
the tool 110 is released.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 2 when the R.O.V. 105 is positioning the
device 80 in the receptacle 50, the engagement projections 102, 104
will be retracted but once the device has been positioned in the
receptacle 50, and the R.O.V. tool 110 is released, the projections
are allowed to engage the circumferential groove 76, thus locking
the receptacle 50 and device 80 together.
In order to prevent any seawater remaining adjacent the hydraulic
and electrical connections between the device and receptacle when
engaged, the sleeves 69, 74 are preferably connected to an oil
supply cylinder so that, when the sleeves are displaced from the
position shown in FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG. 3, a supply of oil
is displaced across the connection surfaces to dispel any seawater,
through oil ways (not shown).
In use, the subsea installation would initially be provided with a
full complement of control devices 80, one for each main valve
shown in FIG. 1. The control devices would be of the general form
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each connected to a respective receptacle
50 in the panel 40. Control signals to the valve of a said control
device 80 would be passed through the appropriate receptacle 50 via
at least one of the hydraulic and/or electrical connections between
the receptacle and device, which control signals would be supplied
from a central drilling rig or other surface installation via a
control umbilical 13, as shown in FIG. 1.
The control valve, of the control device 80 would then respond to
such control signals to operate its associated main valve of the
installation, in accordance with the control signals received, the
control valve sending open/close hydraulic (or electrical) signals
via others of the electrical and hydraulic connections between the
receptacle and device to the appropriate main valve.
If at any stage during operation, one of the control valves fails,
it is only necessary for an underwater remote vehicle (R.O.V.) to
be guided down to the well head installation. The tool 110 of the
R.O.V. can then be manoeuvred to remove the faulty control device
80 and replace the faulty device with a new unit.
As previously mentioned, the receptacles, 50 are disposed in the
panel 40 in a predetermined pattern as, for example, shown in more
detail in FIG. 5. Once the manifold pattern has been chosen, a
template 200 can be made corresponding to the receptacle
pattern.
This may then be used to program accurately the movements of the
R.O.V. tool 110 that will be required in order for the R.O.V. to
recover the faulty component and replace this with a fully
operational substitute.
Using the template 200, a dry run may be effected on the surface
completely under computer control, with the necessary movements
being stored in the memory of the computer. Then, all that is
necessary is for the R.O.V. to be aligned, using its indexing pin
or pins 210, with the corresponding opening or openings 220 of the
manifold 40 at the subsea installation, the R.O.V. then completing
the operation without needing any further assistance from the
surface. This method of operation has particular advantages in low
visibility situations.
Materials for the apparatus are selected in order for compatability
with sea-water environment, evaluation of electrolyses, earth
grounding and type of hydraulic control fluid. For example,
body/bolting: Stainless steel, moving parts: Monel/Inconel/Alu
bronze. Electrical contacts: gold plated.
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention. The control
device and receptacle of this embodiment have substantial
similarities to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 and
similar parts are represented by the same reference numerals, with
the addition of 300. The major difference between this embodiment
and the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 are as follows:
HYDRAULIC CONTROL CONNECTIONS
In this embodiment no displacable sleeve for the hydraulic openings
is provided. The arrangement of the hydraulic openings on the
receptacle/device has also been reversed, so that annular grooves
430, 432, 434 are provided on the receptacle 350 and corresponding
openings and oilways, which are in alignment with respective
grooves when device and receptacle are engaged are provided on the
device 380 of which one, labelled 436 is shown. The three oilways
all communicate, through the internal structure of the device 380,
with a pilot valve contained within a housing, 450.
The seal rings 399 are spaced at different intervals so that, on
entry of the device into the receptacle, the seal rings do not all
pass the grooves 430, 434 at the same time thus smoothing
entry.
The three circumferential grooves 430, 432, 434 provide,
respectively, a pressure return line and two control lines. The
pressure return line is configured to be closest to the inserted
end of the device 380 as this is the hydraulic connection most
likely, of the three, to fail, due to the greater abrasion which
the adjacent seals may suffer when the control device 380 is
inserted in the receptacle 350.
ELECTRICAL CONTROL CONNECTIONS
Two electrical contacts 370, 372 are provided on the receptacle 350
and these are connected to the control umbilical via an electrical
connector 373. Respective self activated slip rings 440, 442 are
provided on the control device 380. These slip rings are radially
resilient so as to be forced into biased contact with the contacts
370, 372 when the device 380 is engaged with receptacle 350.
Contact is preferably enhanced by means of an annular ring of
resilient material, for example synthetic plastics 444 formed
between the free ends for the slip rings 440, 442. Electrical
connections from the slip rings run internally of the device 380
through conduit 446 and emerge through opening 448 for external
connection, via a sheathed cable, to an actuating solenoid in the
housing 450.
The sleeve 374, unlike the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, is not
biased into the covered position but is simply slidable between an
`open` position, shown in FIG. 6, and a covered position in which
the sleeve covers the contacts 370, 372. The control device 380 is
provided with a resilient, radially deformable tip 447 which has a
lip 448 for engagement with a corresponding lip 450 formed on the
sleeve 374. The sleeve 374 further includes radial projections 451,
452 separated by an axial slot, which cooperate, in the open and
covered positions respectively with a stop 454 provided on the
receptacle 350. In use, when the control device 380 is inserted in
the receptacle 350, the tip 447 forces the sleeve 374 axially to
the position shown in FIG. 6. At the end of the sleeve's allowable
travel, the radial projection 451 abuts against the stop 354 which
allows the tip 447 to snap into engagement with the sleeve 374, the
lips 448, 450 cooperating. When the control device 380 is removed,
the tip 447 pulls the sleeve 374 axially until the projection 452
abuts against stop 454 at which time the resilient tip 447
disengages from the sleeve 374, leaving the sleeve in the covered
position.
A spring loaded detent device, for example a captive spring biased
ball bearing, is preferably located at the tip of the projection
452, the ball bearing being arranged to engage a hollow formed in
the sleeve 374 adjacent projection 452, to provide retention of the
sleeve 374 in the covered position, but allow release when forced
by insertion of the device 380.
LOCKING MECHANISM
The locking mechanism comprises two pins 404 which engage with a
circumferential groove 376. The pins 404 have a semi-spherical tip,
with the groove having a cooperating trapezoidal cross section.
Each pin 404 is biased inwardly by means of a respective spring 460
and is held in the outward position, as shown in FIG. 6, by a
respective axially movable piston 462. Each piston is connected to
a respective actuating pin 464 via a retention spring 466 which
holds the piston 462 in the locked position shown in FIG. 6. In
use, to release the locking mechanism, the pins 464 are engaged by
an annular piston connected to the operating tool of the ROV. This
causes the pistons to move in direction A, so that the pins spring
inwardly, thus releasing the control device 380. In the event of
one or more springs 460 failing, the cooperating surfaces of the
pin and groove allow the control device to still be released as,
when pulled, the pins 404 of the control device 380 will ride out
of the trapezoidal groove 376.
While the embodiment of the invention has been described as part of
a wellhead installation, this is not to be construed as limitative,
as the invention is applicable to any underwater or surface
installation and is particularly suited for any other non-benign
environment e.g. in a radioactive application. Furthermore,
although the control device comprises a control valve in the
examples, any control element, for example a hydraulic actuator,
may be used.
* * * * *